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in Scam Awareness
wilx.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau warns consumers to watch for IRS impersonation scams during tax season, including phishing emails, fake phone calls demanding payment via wire transfer or prepaid debit cards, and fraudulent mailing scams requesting personal information. To protect themselves, taxpayers should file early, use an Identity Protection PIN, verify they're on the official IRS website, remember that the IRS contacts by mail first, and work with trustworthy tax professionals. Victims of tax identity theft should contact the IRS at 1-800-908-4490 and file a complaint with the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint.
thirteen.org
· 2025-12-08
Online romance scams exploit digital connections through fake profiles and texts to defraud billions of dollars annually from Americans. These scams work by building trust with victims to manipulate them into sending money, with certain populations being more vulnerable to this form of fraud than others.
local3news.com
· 2025-12-08
Elderly people aged 60 and older lost approximately $3.4 billion to scams in 2023, an 11% increase from the previous year, with seniors targeted because they hold significant wealth and are susceptible to increasingly sophisticated fraud tactics. The most common scams affecting seniors include romance scams (averaging $2,000 per victim), investment/cryptocurrency scams, gift card scams, texting scams, home improvement scams, and imposter scams, which often involve refined variations of traditional schemes rather than entirely new tactics. Experts recommend staying connected with elderly loved ones and remaining vigilant about suspicious offers that create artificial time pressure or build false relationships, as scammers exploit lon
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers nationwide are sending text messages impersonating toll collection agencies, demanding payment for unpaid tolls and directing victims to fake websites to steal banking information, credit card details, and personal identifying information like driver's license numbers. The Federal Trade Commission and multiple state authorities including New York, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania have issued warnings about this "smishing" scam, which the FBI reported had generated over 2,000 complaints across at least three states as of April 2023. Victims should avoid clicking links or replying to unsolicited toll texts, and should instead delete and report suspicious messages to their phone carrier.
kbtx.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece outlines how to detect utility scams that surge during weather emergencies. Scammers impersonate power companies using spoofed caller IDs and stolen personal information to pressure victims into immediate payments via untraceable methods like gift cards, wire transfers, and cryptocurrency. The key defense is to hang up and independently verify claims by calling the company directly, avoiding payment methods without buyer protection, and resisting urgency tactics.
gulfnews.com
· 2025-12-08
An elderly European woman lost nearly 12 million dirhams in savings to a romantic scam in which an African-based fraudster posed as a wealthy Dubai businessman, emotionally manipulating her into selling all her assets and relocating to Dubai. Dubai Police's Cybercrime Director warned that such "romantic fraud" or emotional entrapment schemes exploit vulnerable individuals through social media, where scammers study victims' personal information to identify and exploit emotional vulnerabilities, with authorities noting that organized crime groups specialize in this method and that reporting suspicious accounts and increasing digital literacy are critical protective measures.
makeuseof.com
· 2025-12-08
Online job offer scams use deceptive tactics including fake email domains, vague job descriptions with buzzwords, requests for upfront fees, and pressure to hire immediately without proper vetting. The author shares personal experience falling victim to a pyramid scheme disguised as a job offer and recommends verifying company domains, checking for professional job descriptions, never paying hiring fees, and using trusted job boards like Indeed, Glassdoor, and LinkedIn to avoid fraudulent postings.
newindianexpress.com
· 2025-12-08
A 45-year-old man from Kerala lost Rs 4.05 crore to a WhatsApp-based share trading scam in late 2024, part of a broader fraud epidemic in the state where 23,753 people lost Rs 201 crore to online financial frauds in 2023 alone. Additional major scams include a Rs 4.08 crore scheme targeting a Kozhikode doctor and an estimated Rs 1,000 crore CSR-based scam promising discounted scooters and laptops. Experts attribute Kerala's vulnerability to fraud to cultural factors including competitive mentality, herd behavior in financial decisions, and susceptibility
businesstimes.com.sg
· 2025-12-08
Standard Chartered Bank partnered with the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) to conduct monthly digital literacy workshops for seniors aged 50-90 from August 2024 to February 2025, addressing Singapore's 16.3% rise in scam cases in the first half of 2024. The workshops taught seniors how to identify and protect themselves from fake friend, investment, and phishing scams, with 120 participants and 70 bank volunteers participating in hands-on training sessions. The initiative, part of a corporate volunteering program, demonstrates how partnerships between financial institutions and government agencies can raise fraud awareness and help vulnerable populations avoid becoming victims of self-effected transfer
kmvt.com
· 2025-12-08
Idaho is advancing House Bill 182, the "Report and Hold" legislation, which would allow financial institutions to pause suspicious transactions for up to 15 days to investigate potential fraud affecting seniors 65 and older and vulnerable adults. According to AARP, Idaho reported over 14,000 scams in 2023 and is one of only 8 states without such protective measures; the bill's supporters argue it could recover significant funds by enabling faster law enforcement involvement, though some community leaders express concerns about temporary account restrictions.
propublica.org
· 2025-12-08
**Article Type:** Government/Tax Fraud Accountability
The new acting administrator of the General Services Administration appointed Frank Schuler IV, co-founder of a firm that profited from "syndicated conservation easement" tax shelter schemes, as a senior adviser. Schuler's company exploited a tax deduction intended for land conservation by packaging inflated property appraisals into outsized tax deductions for wealthy clients, costing the government tens of billions in revenue and earning promoters millions in fees; the scheme was finally restricted through 2022 legislation after years of IRS crackdowns, court cases, and a bipartisan Senate investigation that deemed it among "the worst of the
kiplinger.com
· 2025-12-08
Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) requested access to Social Security Administration (SSA) data and claimed to have discovered "massive fraud" involving 150-year-olds receiving benefits, prompting the resignation of the SSA's acting commissioner after 30+ years of service. Experts believe the 150-year-old cases likely result from outdated COBOL programming errors rather than actual fraud, with overpayments representing less than 1% of total benefits, while the expanded access to sensitive beneficiary information—including medical records, earnings histories, and personal data on nearly 73 million recipients—raises cybersecurity concerns that could expose older adults to
en.vietnamplus.vn
· 2025-12-08
Thai police launched a "Senior's Community Cyber Police Club" to combat rising online fraud targeting older citizens, who lost 4.4 billion THB (125 million USD) in nearly 14,000 reported cases during 2024. The program provides weekly educational Zoom sessions teaching seniors about common scams such as fake product sales, fraudulent job offers, and extortion calls impersonating officials, with early results showing declining victimization rates and increasing membership. The initiative complements other awareness efforts including weekly Facebook programs and daily scam alerts as part of Thailand's broader cybercrime prevention strategy.
snopes.com
· 2025-12-08
A rumor circulated in February 2025 claiming that a Trump executive order ended FBI community outreach efforts, stemming from a photo of a cancellation notice for an FBI presentation on senior scams at an Ohio YMCA facility. While the FBI confirmed the February 17 event was canceled, the agency explicitly stated it was not due to any executive order, and no public evidence supports claims that Trump administration actions specifically dismantled FBI community outreach programs. The rumor spread widely on social media, accumulating thousands of upvotes on Reddit before being removed.
express.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams using AI-generated deepfake videos impersonating celebrities became the most reported scams in 2024, with criminals creating hyper-realistic videos and audio to trick victims into fraudulent relationships or investment schemes. A recent investigation by London's Proactive Economic Crime Team led to two arrests after victims handed over approximately £200,000, including one individual who lost £60,000, while a similar case involving a deepfake of Martin Lewis and Elon Musk defrauded a tradesman of £76,000. The technology has evolved faster than regulatory measures, making it increasingly difficult for the public to distinguish real from fabricated content, with deepfake attempts occurring every five
indianexpress.com
· 2025-12-08
Annette Ford, a 57-year-old Australian, lost approximately ₹4.2 crore (AUD $580,000) to two separate romance scams after joining the dating site Plenty of Fish in 2018. The first scammer, posing as "William," extracted ₹1.6 crore over time through fabricated emergencies, while a second scammer, "Nelson," induced her to use Bitcoin ATMs to transfer ₹2.5 crore, leaving her homeless and couch-surfing. In 2023, Australia recorded over 3,200 romance scams resulting in nearly ₹130 crore in
whitehallledger.com
· 2025-12-08
The Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance has issued a warning about the rising threat of romance scams in the state, where scammers use fake online profiles to build trust and solicit money from victims. According to the Federal Trade Commission, romance scams caused $823 million in losses nationwide through September 2024, with Montana ranking seventh highest in per capita internet crime losses in 2023, partly due to geographical isolation and residents' trusting nature. The CSI advises Montanans to be skeptical of online contacts who avoid in-person meetings or request money, consult trusted friends and family, and report suspected fraud to csimt.gov or 406-444-3815.
regtechtimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams, where fraudsters create fake profiles on dating apps and social media to manipulate victims emotionally and extract money, have increased 14% globally in 2024 with over 1,193 new scam profiles detected. The United States (38%), Nigeria (14%), and India (12%) are the most affected countries, with scammers employing tactics like "love bombing," fake personas, and blackmail to exploit victims over weeks or months. Tech companies including Meta, Tinder, Bumble, and Google are implementing AI-powered detection systems, safety notices, and content filters to identify and remove fraudulent accounts and warn users of suspicious activity.
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services offers a free educational workshop on recognizing and avoiding scams, covering phone, text, email, and online fraud prevention. The workshop teaches participants how to protect themselves online and provides guidance on what to do if they become scam victims.
dailydot.com
· 2025-12-08
An FBI field office in Cleveland, Ohio canceled a free educational presentation on scams targeting seniors scheduled for February 17th at a Geauga County YMCA, with an agent initially citing a new executive order prohibiting FBI community outreach. The FBI later clarified the cancellation resulted from miscommunication rather than any official policy change, and stated it remains committed to its community outreach programs and fraud prevention education for seniors.
goldcountrymedia.com
· 2025-12-08
This appears to be a system notification or website error message rather than an article about elder fraud, scams, or abuse. It contains generic website messaging about email verification and session renewal, along with an unrelated notice about a local history museum. This content does not contain information suitable for the Elderus elder fraud research database.
news5cleveland.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, romance scams resulted in $823 million in losses according to the Federal Trade Commission, with scammers increasingly using AI chatbots on dating apps and social media to make fraudulent schemes more convincing and personalized. Older adults are particularly vulnerable targets because scammers assume they have financial stability and retirement savings. Red flags include rapid relationship progression, no in-person meetings, and repeated money requests; victims should report suspected scams to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
JPMorgan Chase reports that approximately half of scams it handles originate on social media platforms, where fraudsters contact consumers and persuade them to send money through peer-to-peer payment networks like Zelle. Beginning March 23, Chase will block Zelle transactions initiated from social media platforms, as the service is intended only for payments to known contacts. The broader issue remains significant: customers of major banks disputed over $206 million in Zelle transactions in 2023 claiming fraud, with only 19% reimbursed, and the CFPB has sued Zelle alleging $870 million in losses over seven years.
therecordnorthshore.org
· 2025-12-08
This police report compiled from multiple North Shore municipalities (Wilmette, Winnetka, Glencoe, Northfield, and Kenilworth) documents various crimes during mid-February, including several fraud and scam incidents. Residents were victimized by phone scams impersonating fraud departments, unauthorized bank account transactions totaling at least $9,000 across multiple incidents, and a counterfeit iPhone sale for $600, with one California individual arrested for stealing over $10,000 through deception. The report also included unrelated incidents of burglary, theft, and battery arrests.
paymentsdive.com
· 2025-12-08
JPMorgan Chase identified social media platforms as the origin point for approximately half of push payment scams reported to the bank, where fraudsters contact victims and persuade them to send money through peer-to-peer networks like Zelle. Starting March 23, Chase will block Zelle payments originating from social media transactions, as the service is intended only for known recipients; the bank noted that once money is sent through these instant payment channels, recovery is extremely difficult. This action follows criticism from lawmakers and consumer advocates, with a 2024 Senate report showing that customers disputed $206.7 million in Zelle transactions for fraud in 2023, yet only about 19% were reimbursed.
welivesecurity.com
· 2025-12-08
Employment termination scams are phishing attacks that exploit workers' fear of job loss by impersonating HR departments or other authorities, attempting to trick victims into clicking malicious links or opening infected attachments. These scams can lead to malware installation, credential theft, corporate data breaches, or account hijacking, with attackers leveraging stolen work logins for extortion or further fraudulent activity. The scams are effective because they create urgent psychological pressure, and victims can protect themselves by verifying sender addresses, checking for generic greetings, and being cautious about unexpected termination notifications.
news18.com
· 2025-12-08
The "call merging scam" tricks victims into revealing their One-Time Passwords (OTPs) by having an unknown caller claim to connect them to a friend, then merging the call with a legitimate bank OTP verification line, causing victims to unknowingly share their OTP with fraudsters who then complete unauthorized transactions. The National Payments Corporation of India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) issued an urgent warning advising users to never merge calls from unknown numbers, verify caller identity before taking action, and immediately report suspicious OTPs to their bank at 1930.
tech.co
· 2025-12-08
A Tech.co study of 1,036 senior executives found that 98% of US business leaders cannot correctly identify all indicators of phishing emails, with only 1.6% able to spot clear warning signs—a critical gap given that phishing attacks account for 40% of data breaches surveyed. The research also revealed significant cybersecurity vulnerabilities, including 19% of senior leaders unable to define multi-factor authentication and 35% of businesses lacking any security policy for AI chatbot use, leaving organizations increasingly exposed to evolving threats powered by new technology.
king5.com
· 2025-12-08
A Washington State House hearing examined a bill to protect vulnerable adults after an Olympia senior citizen lost $300,000 in a coercion scam where fraudsters convinced her to liquidate investments and wire funds to purchase gold coins. The proposed House Bill 1900 would require banks to flag suspected fraudulent activity on vulnerable adults' accounts and immediately notify state authorities, addressing a gap in federal law that leaves victims of coerced wire transfers without reimbursement protection. The bill's sponsor cited the victim's case as motivation to prevent others from losing their life savings to financial exploitation.
mad-daily.com
· 2025-12-08
ANZ Bank and TBWA\New Zealand launched an awareness campaign called "Scammers Bloom" on Valentine's Day, featuring deliberately foul-smelling roses at an Auckland pop-up to highlight the growing problem of online romance scams. The campaign used clever messaging and Valentine's cards to educate the public about romance scam tactics and warning signs, generating significant social media buzz and directing visitors to ANZ's scam prevention resources. The initiative aimed to raise awareness that romance scams often involve deceptive online relationships that appear genuine but are fraudulent schemes targeting vulnerable people.
hindustantimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 57-year-old Perth woman lost ₹4.3 crore ($780,000) in life savings to two separate online romance scams between 2018 and 2022, leaving her homeless and couch-surfing across Western Australia. The first scam involved a man named "William" on a dating site who gained her trust over months before requesting money for increasingly elaborate emergencies (stolen wallet, medical bills, unpaid wages), ultimately costing her ₹1.6 crore; a second scam four years later with a man named "Nelson" on Facebook involved a fake FBI investigation scheme and Bitcoin transfers, resulting in an additional ₹1.5
indiatoday.in
· 2025-12-08
Annette Ford, a 57-year-old Australian woman, lost approximately AUD 780,000 (Rs 4.3 crore) to two separate online romance scams between 2018 and 2022. The first scammer, posing as "William," extracted over AUD 300,000 by claiming to need emergency funds for various crises, while the second, "Nelson," obtained AUD 280,000 by falsely claiming to work with the FBI and directing her to make Bitcoin transactions. Ford is now homeless and dependent on disability support benefits after depleting her superannuation and home sale proceeds.
e.vnexpress.net
· 2025-12-08
Between 2023 and 2024, Kaspersky researchers identified over 5,260 email scams originating from Nigerian groups targeting victims in Vietnam, using increasingly sophisticated tactics that impersonate wealthy individuals, entrepreneurs, and lottery directors to extract money through romance scams, fake investment opportunities, and requests for travel or shipping costs. In a related case, Vietnamese police arrested 50 conspirators operating romance scams through fake Facebook accounts posing as successful entrepreneurs, targeting middle-aged single women and convincing them to invest in Bitcoin under the guise of romantic relationships. Experts warn these scams employ social engineering and emotional manipulation to build trust, and recommend victims verify information carefully, avoid sharing personal an
womenlovetech.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams cost Australians $201.1 million in 2023 and over $585 million in 2024, with scammers using psychological manipulation and AI-generated fake profiles to deceive online daters. Tinder released a Romance Scam Awareness Guide identifying red flags such as love-bombing, requests to move conversations off-app, sudden financial requests, and zero digital footprints, while recommending users verify profiles, conduct reverse image searches, keep personal details private, and never send money to online-only contacts. The guide, developed with fraud survivors and cyberpsychologists, complements Tinder's 20+ safety features including AI-powered scam
katv.com
· 2025-12-08
This article provides tips from Early Warning on avoiding romance scams, though specific details about the scams or advice are not included in the provided text excerpt. The piece appears to be a brief awareness notice directing readers to additional resources for more information.
alliancetimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Financial Advisor Dalsey Lambley presented a scam awareness workshop at the Alliance Public Library, highlighting common fraud types including internet scams, romance scams, collection fraud, and computer intrusion schemes that typically begin with unsolicited contact. Lambley advised attendees to recognize red flags, avoid sharing personal information with unverified online contacts, verify contact numbers independently, and consult trusted friends before responding to urgent requests. The presentation emphasized that scammers exploit emotions like loneliness and fear to pressure victims into quick decisions without careful consideration.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are sending mass extortion emails threatening to expose alleged compromising material unless recipients pay money (often in Bitcoin), using publicly available personal information like names and addresses to create a false sense of familiarity and urgency. One Pennsylvania resident received such an email demanding $2,000 after the sender claimed to have malware and webcam access, though experts note that scammers rarely possess actual evidence and send these threats indiscriminately to thousands of people obtained from data breaches. The FBI advises recipients not to respond, not to pay, and to report such emails as spam or phishing.
miamioh.edu
· 2025-12-08
This educational resource outlines three prevalent scam types in 2025: SMS scams impersonating the IRS, toll agencies, and shipping companies to solicit urgent payments; AI-powered scams using sophisticated phishing emails, fake images, and deepfake videos to enhance convincingness; and fraudulent scholarship offers that request upfront fees with little return. Key prevention strategies include avoiding suspicious links, ignoring requests for personal information, recognizing urgency tactics and grammatical errors, never responding to suspicious messages, and reporting suspected phishing attempts to security authorities.
cnbc.com
· 2025-12-08
During the 2024 tax season, scammers increased identity theft and refund fraud attempts, with the IRS receiving nearly 300,000 identity theft reports resulting in an estimated $5.5 billion in losses. Common scams include fraudulent IRS communications via phone/text/email, AI-powered voice cloning, fake account setup offers, phishing emails promising unclaimed refunds, and fraudulent tax preparers who steal personal information and refunds. Taxpayers can protect themselves by remembering the IRS only contacts via mail, verifying caller information, researching tax preparers using the IRS directory, and avoiding unsolicited IRS-related communications or links.
hjnews.com
· 2025-12-08
The Box Elder County Sheriff's Office issued a Valentine's Day awareness campaign warning residents about romance scams and catfishing schemes that increase during the holiday season. The advisory recommends exercising caution with online dating matches, particularly those professing quick romantic commitment, and advises against sending money, personal information, or compromising photos to individuals met only online. The Sheriff's Office and FCC recommend using public records and reverse image searches to verify identities and meeting in person before making emotional or financial commitments.
ft.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, a UK sustainability consultancy lost £324,634 to an authorized push payment (APP) fraud scam where criminals impersonated a client's email to trick an employee into transferring funds; the victim spent 11 months and £100,000 in legal fees attempting recovery and ultimately declared the company insolvent. While new UK regulations implemented in October 2024 now mandate reimbursement up to £85,000 for APP fraud victims, fraud experts and affected individuals report the system remains broken due to police inaction, regulatory gaps, and inconsistent bank treatment of claims. APP fraud accounted for 40 percent of all fraud losses in the UK in 2
selangorjournal.my
· 2025-12-08
As of January 17, 2024, Malaysian authorities received 482 reports of job scam syndicates affecting 628 victims, including 15 from Sabah with one remaining stranded abroad. The Home Ministry has implemented comprehensive countermeasures including international cooperation with Interpol, engagement with neighboring countries for rescue missions, and multi-agency public awareness campaigns targeting young people through social media, podcasts, and airport displays.
ingstadmedia.com
· 2025-12-08
Two men were arrested in Olivia on suspicion of operating a phone and computer scam in which victims were convinced their computers were compromised and instructed to hand cash to couriers. The victim lost money on February 11 and was contacted again for an additional $40,000 before police intercepted the courier and made arrests; one suspect also has an ICE immigration hold.
thestar.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
A Vodafone study found that nearly one million UK children aged 11-16 fell victim to online scams in the past year, with 13-year-olds most affected and average losses around £100, though 69% reported increased anxiety. An online harm specialist identifies key warning signs including secretive behavior, emotional changes, and urgent requests for in-game purchases, and recommends parents maintain open dialogue, avoid frustration, and educate children about scam tactics to prevent victimization.
observernews.net
· 2025-12-08
This article announces the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office's eighth annual fraud awareness forum scheduled for March 4 in Sun City Center, Florida, designed to educate seniors about evolving scams and fraud prevention. The free event will feature presentations on AI fraud, nonprofit fraud, and the emotional impact of scams, with expert panelists available for questions and community resources on-site. The forum emphasizes that education is the primary defense against victimization, as scammers continually adapt their tactics using advancing technology.
securityinfowatch.com
· 2025-12-08
A 2025 Tech.co survey of 1,036 US business leaders found that 98% cannot identify all signs of phishing emails, with 47% failing to recognize urgency or threatening tone and 33% unable to spot unknown senders as red flags. Phishing attacks accounted for 40% of business data breaches in 2024 (up 23% from 2023), with the average data breach costing $4.88 million, highlighting a critical need for cybersecurity education across all organizational levels.
riverreporter.com
· 2025-12-08
The New York StateWide Senior Action Council identified Medicare card scams as its February Fraud of the Month, warning seniors against calls and offers claiming Medicare is issuing new cards or special upgraded versions. Medicare fraud costs taxpayers over $60 billion annually, and scammers typically pose as Medicare representatives to solicit personal health information or trick beneficiaries into requesting replacement cards that do not actually exist. Seniors can protect themselves by remembering that Medicare cards do not expire and only issue standard paper cards, and they should report suspected fraud to the NYS Medicare Fraud Helpline at 800/333-4374.
ukiahdailyjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
An elderly woman lost money to a romance scam in which an online suitor fabricated emergencies (car accident, medical bills) to request loans totaling over $1,000. The executive director of the Ukiah Senior Center describes this as part of a widespread trend of financial fraud targeting seniors, including romance scams, impersonation schemes (government officials, grandchildren), and lottery scams. The article advises victims to verify requests before sending money, watch for red flags in online relationships, and report suspected fraud to law enforcement or the Federal Trade Commission without shame.